C++Builder uses the same IDE as Delphi, and shares many core libraries. Notable shared Delphi (Pascal code) and C++ Builder routines include the FastMM4 memory manager, which was developed as a community effort within the FastCode project, the entire UI framework known as the VCL, which is written in Pascal, as well as base system routines, many of which have been optimised for both Delphi and C++Builder through the FastCode project.

C++Builder projects can include Delphi code. The Delphi compiler emits C++ headers, allowing C++ code to link to Delphi classes and methods as though they were written in C++. The reverse (C++ code being used by Delphi) is not possible.

C++Builder originally targeted only the Microsoft Windows platform. Later versions incorporated Borland CLX, a cross-platform development visual component library based on Qt, that supports Windows and Linux, however CLX is now abandoned. A cross-platform version for Linux and OS X is reportedly planned.

Traditionally, the release cycle was such that Delphi got major enhancements first, with C++Builder following,[1] though recent versions have been released at the same time as their Delphi equivalents.[2]

Internet tools, including ActiveForms for building Web browser C++ applications and WebBroker for building CGI, WinCGI, ISAPI, and NSAPI C++ applications and over 25 Internet protocol components for instantly adding HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP, NNTP, HTML, and TCP/IP support to any C++ application.

Multi-Tier Database Development Services (MIDAS) Development Kit, including MIDAS 2.

About a year after the announcement Borland released Borland Developer Studio 2006 which includes Borland C++Builder 2006 that provides improved configuration management and bug fixes. Borland Developer Studio 2006 is a single package containing Delphi, C++Builder, and C#Builder.

In Sep 15, 2003, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++BuilderX (CBX), which was also included as part of the latest Borland Enterprise Studio for Mobile.[6] CBX was written using the same framework as JBuilder and bore little resemblance to either C++Builder or Delphi. This product was aimed at developing large programs for enterprises, but did not sell well.

In Sep 22, 2003, Borland Software Corporation and PalmSource, Inc. announced Borland has licensed the PalmSource software development kits (SDKs) and will support Palm OS development in the Borland C++BuilderX Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and latest Borland Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions for C++.[7]

At the end of 2004 Borland announced that it would continue to develop the earlier C++Builder and bundle it with the Delphi development suite, abandoning C++BuilderX.

In 2007 CodeGear released C++Builder 2007, providing full API support for Microsoft Vista, increased ANSI C++ conformance, up to 500% faster in-IDE build performance, support for MSBuild, DBX4 database architecture, and "VCL for the Web" which supports Ajax. The API support for Microsoft Vista includes themed applications and seamless VCL support for Aero and Vista Desktop. CodeGear RAD Studio 2007 incorporates C++Builder 2007 and Delphi. Also in 2007 Borland revived the "Turbo" brand and released two "Turbo" editions of C++Builder: Turbo C++ Professional, and Turbo C++ Explorer (no longer available from CodeGear), based on Borland C++Builder 2006.

In 2008 CodeGear was purchased by Embarcadero Technologies, who continued development.

C++Builder 2009 was released in August 2008, with the most notable improvements being full Unicode support throughout VCL and RTL, early adoption of the C++0x standard, full ITE (Integrated Translation Environment) support, native Ribbon components and the inclusion of the Boost library. C++Builder 2010 then followed in August 2009, adding in particular the touch and gesture support newly introduced to the VCL and a C++ specific class explorer. C++Builder XE was released in August 2010.

Embarcadero moved to a different versioning scheme in 2010. Rather than using numbers, they use XE. "C++ Builder XE" was released in August 2010, "C++Builder XE2" was released in August 2011, "C++ Builder XE3" was released in August 2012. No notable major changes were included in those three years except for bug fixes and the inclusion of 'FireMonkey' for creating cross-platform GUIs.

In April 2013, "C++ Builder XE4" was released, which included a 64-bit Windows compiler based on Clang 3.1. The 32-bit compiler is still based on Embarcadero's older technology.

C++Builder XE2 was released in August 2011, introducing OS X support to the compiler for the first time. This allows the creation of cross-platform executables from a single source using the included FireMonkey libraries, however the IDE is only compatible with Microsoft Windows.

C++Builder XE3 was released in August 2012 containing further OS X support and an upgraded version of FireMonkey.

C++Builder XE4 was released in April 2013 containing further OS X support and FireMonkey version 3.